FISHING REPORTS.

Lake Mich. (Chi./Ind.) . Northeast winds have raised...

April 08, 2004|By Chauncey Niziol.

Lake Mich. (Chi./Ind.) **

Northeast winds have raised surface water temperature along the shoreline to 47 degrees. A light west or southwest wind could pull smelt closer to shore with offshore water temperature at 37 degrees. Belmont Harbor had the best brown trout action followed by Montrose. Perch along the Chicago lakefront are spotty at best. In Indiana, strong north winds muddied the water and trollers now are running out farther to find clearer water and active coho. Close in rattle baits and crankbaits are best choices.

Lake Michigan (Wauk.) **

Slow over the weekend and early in the week. Anglers fishing off the Johnson Pier found brown trout within 3 to 5 feet off the bottom with live bait and stinger hooks. Smelting has been spotty.

Cook Preserves **+

Axehead, Belleau and Sag Quarry East still are yielding brown trout from the stocking program on small spinners, power baits and minnows. Tampier Lake: The walleye program is continuing with many good-sized male fish being sampled and many large females up to 11 pounds. Busse: Bluegill and crappie were active in the sunny wind-protected areas close to shore. Saganashkee Slough: Only a few bluegill and yellow bass were taken near the dam. Skokie Lagoons: Crappie were lightly hitting a small minnow or Mini Mite while catfish were hitting on a floating jig head.

DuPage Preserves ***

At Deep Quarry trout still are being taken on small baits and hooks. Bass have been improving on Mallard and Bass lakes. Crappie catches were highest at Pratts Wayne.

Chain O' Lakes ***

Crappie and bluegills are in the backwaters, creeks and channels. Walleye are slow, but a few have been taken under the bridges and on the shallow flats. Only a few catfish have been taken. Long Lake panfish are hitting small artificial and live baits.

Braidwood Lake ***

The south side of the lake has been producing good-sized smallmouth and small largemouth bass on roadrunners and small brightly colored jigs. Catfish have been averaging around 3 pounds and bluegills are in the 7- to 8-inch class.

LaSalle Lake **+

When the wind is not blowing, the bass fishing over most of the lake is good. Most fish are still within 6 to 10 feet of the shoreline. Catfish are best on fresh shrimp or chicken livers.

Illinois Rivers **+

The water temperature is 51 degrees and the sauger have started to move back into the deeper holes and toward the dams. White bass are being taken from below the Starved Rock Dam, but you need to keep your jig and minnow moving to entice a bite.

Vermilion River ****

Sauger are very active in the lower section of the river right now. The water has cleared up.

Fox River **+

Smallmouth bass are improving and have been taken close to shore and near creek mouths. Catfish are better a half-mile down river from the dams. White bass could see improvement by the weekend.

Kankakee River **+

Female walleye full of eggs are getting close to spawning time. Below the Kankakee Dam, impressive stringers of catfish were taken by anglers wading and fishing from shore. Northern pike are best in the bayous, sloughs and ditch mouths in Indiana and Illinois waters. Smallmouth bass are improving.

Rock River ***

Below the Oregon Dam walleye were taken in the 3- to 5-pound range with a few in the 6- and 7-pound class. Smallmouth bass are spotty.

Shabbona Lake *+

Very light fishing pressure with only a few small crappie from fish cribs and the no-motor area. Catfish are slow.

Wolf Lake (Indiana) **

Walleye are slow, but a few crappie are being taken from the Maizo Channel.

Root River (Wisconsin) **+

Water clarity has improved, and water levels have dropped to just below normal. Most steelhead were caught in Colonial and Lincoln Park and at the Horlick Dam. Best baits are large black, orange or green flies or spawn sacs.

Port Washington (Wis.) **+

Brown trout and a few steelhead are hitting spawn sacs, small shiners and tube jigs near the power plant and in the harbor.

Holland (Michigan) ***

Good numbers of white fish were taken off the Holland Pier in the morning with a single egg and skane.

THIS WEEK'S HOT SPOT: Wolf River, Wisconsin

Water levels are up and the walleye have appeared in size and numbers throughout the river. Shore and boat anglers are taking limit catches on a jig and minnow, wolf river rigs or just a 2-inch shiner minnow on a straight hook with a spilt shot dragged along the bottom.

Biologists, after electro-shocking the river, have commented they never have seen so many walleye running up the river to spawn, holding in the marshes or returning back down the river after spawning.